With 1PT.Rule I have a general guideline that while not all of these comics will be based directly off of my actual life experiences (though my high-school dating life would certainly make for an historically epic tragedy), that I should keep one foot grounded firmly in reality at all times. I swear to you I have known a man who placed ‘design ninja’ on his card, and in my mind that card takes on a certain amount of production-bling. I can only hope his results were this …draconian.

Well thanks for the love, world! 1PT.Rule has already given 36 Point it’s best week since launch (soon to be ever) and we’ve had a few folks out there send us some pretty awesome links and coverage. Big thanks then, to our new (and some good-ol’) friends:

Dave Nelson demonstrates yet again why he is one of the most vital designers working out of Nebraska right now with his new site, WhyIAmVotingForObama.com. It’s an honest, earnest look at the candidate through the eyes of a devout Christian, for single-issue (ie: abortion) voters. Dave’s been a guest of our show (and earlier on the Be A Design Cast) and you can see more of his great work here, and at his blog here.

For those not on Facebook and verily, for those on Facebook not on Design Observer’s Facebook Group (I’m sure there’s still a few of you), today’s strip might be a bit mysterious. For those who fit the above two descriptors, today’s strip is a looking glass back into the depths of hell from whence came a demonic bludgeoning of “Vote for the DO” spam that nearly sundered the world. I returned from a two-day trip — two days only — to find no fewer than seven e-mails in my inbox from the DO Group, and this is in addition to at least 97 others I had received in days prior. While explanations have varied, the blame is pointed steadfastly at Facebook’s own messaging system, and not the hands that typed out e-mail upon e-mail upon e-mail. Each note I received seemed to be a bit different from the last, and last I checked Facebook did not have an App to randomize text around a central message. Some have taken this opportunity to leave the DO Facebook Group, an opportunity I myself have also grasped, least I, too, should become a Gollum-like creature, hunched in the darkness, clenching the People’s Design Award, swaying slowly back and forth to its silky, seductive rhythm.

I got the word first from frequent podcast guest Steve Gordon on his post, but this already looks to be making the rounds quickly. Sure, Pepsi can change there logo without me caring much, but if Mountain Dew really tries to go this much less eXtreme with its identity, I will be sad. No amount of caffeine will cheer me up when this occurs.

Why spend years selling yourself as the eXtreme choice only to come out with an identity that will lead to Coldplay in your commercials?

Donovan Beery

\\ Bio

Donovan oversees all creative development at Eleven19 Communications, Inc., where he also serves as an owner. He received a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication & Design from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

His background in visual communications, web design, and creative concepts were put to good use when he was the chief web designer at Union Pacific and the corporate identity and web designer at Nexterna. He’s lectured on web design at Creighton University, taught visual communications at Metropolitan Community College and proudly served seven years on the board of directors for AIGA Nebraska. In 2009, Donovan was appointed by Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey to a three-year term on the Omaha Public Art Commission.